Mauritania: Annan strongly condemns coup attempts, calls for end to violence

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today strongly condemned the ongoing armed attempts to overthrow the constitutional Government in Mauritania and called for an immediate end to the violence.

"The Secretary-General reiterates his firm condemnation of any attempt to change the government of any country by force or by other unconstitutional means," said a UN spokesman in New York, referring to the bid to remove President Ould Taya from power.

The coup attempt also sparked chaos in the West African country and Mr. Annan is "deeply concerned over reports of widespread violence, injuries suffered by the civilian population and looting," according to the spokesman Fred Eckhard.

"He calls for an immediate end to the violence and for a peaceful approach to resolving any difference," Mr. Eckhard said.